Regenerative Medicine

Wake Forest Baptist urology faculty are world leaders in applying the science of regenerative medicine to urologic issues. Anthony Atala, MD, chair of Urology and director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, led the team that was first in the world to successfully engineer bladders in the lab that were implanted in patients. Today, this team is working to engineer replacement tissues and organs and develop cell therapies for more than 30 different areas of the body.

For example:

Penile erectile tissue could one day benefit patients with congenital abnormalities, penile cancer and some cases of severe erectile dysfunction.

A cell therapy for incontinence may one day be a new treatment option

Using the latest developments in biomaterials, printer technology and computer-aided design, the group is working to "print" replacement tissues and organs, including the kidney.

Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, evaluation or care from your physician or other qualified health care provider.